Not Included

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival

Upon your arrival at Keflavik airport a meet and greet service is provided by a TOURIS representative who will take you to your Reykjavik hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day to explore Reykjavik.

Day 2. The Beautiful South Coast

Pick up the rental car in the morning and head for the eastern outskirts of the city. Cross the plateau Hellisheiđi, with a lot of geothermal activity and plumes of steam rising from the ground. Numerous boreholes have been drilled on Hellisheiđi in the last years for hot water and steam, some of the cleanest energy available. Stop at Hellisheiđi Geothermal Powerplant where natural hot water and steam pressure from the ground is used for generating electricity. Here, you can enjoy an optional tour through the power station and and learn about the eco-friendly geo thermal energy. After crossing the plateau, come to the small town Hveragerđi, where hot spring water is used for heating greenhouses for cultivation of decorative flowers and vegetables. Drive further east to the scenic South shore. See the Saga Centre at Hvolsvöllur. Continue across the lowland plains towards Eyjafjöll district. Stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss where in summer it is possible to walk behind the falls. This can be quite an interesting experience. A little further east stop at Skógafoss, another pretty waterfall and don’t miss the folk museum at Skógar, close to the waterfall. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above the area.
On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption started on Fimmvörđuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörđuháls lasted a couple of weeks. After this eruption came to an end a new and bigger eruption started underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. This eruption came to an end on 23. May 2010.
Make a short detour to the tip of the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue. Proceed further east to the headland Dyrhólaey, a natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds. Go to Reynishverfi with spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds in summer. Then continue to Vik the southernmost town in Iceland. Drive across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lavafield ever to flow on Earth in historical time, and to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Fjađrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubćjarklaustur, worth taking a look at. At Kirkjubćjarklaustur, see Kirkjugólfiđ (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of the village. Kirkjugólfiđ is columnar basalt, shaped and eroded by water and wind.

Day 3. Skaftafell National Park & The Amazing Glacier Lagoon

Continue from Klaustur over Skeidarársandur, vast tracts of black sandy desert washed down by numerous torrential glacial rivers. Stop at the Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand. Its natural beauty is a result of unusually favourable weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. Beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, towering above Skaftafell is Grímsvötn, one of Iceland’s most active volcano. In the afternoon of 21. May 2011, a sub-glacial eruption started in the Grímsvötn volcanic system underneath Vatnajökull Glacier. Later the same day, the eruption broke the ice cover of the glacier and started spewing volcanic ash into the air. The amount of ash fall was the greatest close to the village Kirkjubćjarklaustur. The eruption went on for about a week. It ceased on 28. May 2011. See the interesting Visitors Center where you can learn the history of fire and ice in the region and a video of the volcanic eruption and the catastrophic flood in the area in 1996 can also be viewed. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. In the Skaftafell area are many other interesting hiking trails. Continue to Jökulsarlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, broken off the Breiđamerkurjökull glacier float and grind together in the deep blue waters of the lagoon. An interesting cruise among the icebergs on the Lagoon is available in summer. Return to Hella area.

Day 4. The Great Golden Circle

From Selfoss head inland and stop at the volcanic crater Keriđ on you right hand side immediately by the side of the road. Drive further inland and to the waterfall Faxi, which is hidden in a short distance from the road. Continue to the Geyser area to see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a very active geyser that spouts every few minutes, as well as numerous other hot springs. From Geysir, continue a short distance to the waterfall Gullfoss one of Iceland’s largest and most beautiful waterfall. Make Gullfoss a turnaround point and head to the National Park Ţingvellir, a unique place from a geological point of view. Research has shown that Ţingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale where evidence of continental drift and the rifting of the earth's crust can clearly be seen. Ţingvellir is also the most historical place in the country and a place of exceptional beauty. From the National Park, drive across the plateau Mosfellsheiđi to Reykjavík for an overnight stay.

Day 5. Reykjanes Peninsula & A Relaxing Bath at The Blue Lagoon

Leave Reykjavík and make a circle trip on Reykjanes peninsula to Lake Kleifarvatn, Krýsuvík geothermaal area and visit the Blue Lagoon. Visit Lake Kleifarvatn and Krísuvík geothermal area for a feel of the power of Earth. Continue to from Grindavík fishing town across moon-like rugged lava fields to the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy a relaxing bath in an otherworldly setting. In this unique area, lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Soak in the refreshing waters of the Blue Lagoon, and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland, that ensures that you are fully relaxed when you leave Iceland. If you plan to take a bath at the Blue Lagoon, we strongly recommend that you book your ticket in advance. It can be booked at www.bluelagoon.com Return to Reykjavík and drop off the car.

Day 6. Departure

Transfer from your hotel to Keflavik airport with Flybus.

ACCOMMODATION

Cat 1

Rooms in guesthouses with shared facilities but sometimes with washbasins in the rooms. Breakfast is included. Double rooms at most Icelandic hotels are twin rooms with two single beds. In most cases the two single beds can be put together to make a double bed. However this varies from one hotel / guesthouse to another. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed and therefore floor space may be limited when an extra bed has been added.

Cat 2

Rooms in guesthouses or hotels with private shower or bath and WC. Breakfast is included.

Cat 3

Rooms in the best quality accommodation available with private shower or bath and WC. Breakfast is included. Double rooms at most Icelandic hotels are twin rooms with two single beds. In most cases the two single beds can be put together to make a double bed. However this varies from one hotel / guesthouse to another.Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed and therefore floor space may be limited when an extra bed has been added.

CARS

01.A - Hyundai I10 or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 4Suitcases: 1Doors: 5

02.D - Hyundai I10 or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 4Suitcases: 1Doors: 5

03.N - Hyundai I20 or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 5Suitcases: 2Doors: 5

04.O - Hyundai I20 or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 5Suitcases: 2Doors: 5

05.B - Hyundai I30 or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 5Suitcases: 2Doors: 5

06.L - Hyundai I30 or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 5Suitcases: 2Doors: 5

07.E - Hyundai I30 station or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 5Suitcases: 4Doors: 5

10.P - Dacia Duster 4WD or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 5Suitcases: 3Doors: 5

11.H - Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 5Suitcases: 3Doors: 5

12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 5Suitcases: 3Doors: 5

13.K - Toyota Landcruiser 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: AutomaticSeats: 5Suitcases: 4Doors: 5

14.XE - VW Transporter 2WD or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 9Suitcases: 4Doors: 4

15.XG - VW Transporter 4WD or similar - Manual -

Transmission: ManualSeats: 9Suitcases: 4Doors: 3

Optional Extra: Would you like to do some extra activities? Below activities can be added to this tour.

Useful Information: Here you will find other information for this tour.

Pick up of rental car is the morning of day 2.

Drop off is in Reykjavík the day prior to your departure – day 5.

An extra day will be charged if the car is returned later.

Due to road conditions routes may have to be altered without prior notice.
The highland tracks of Iceland are usually not expected to be open until early June and due to road conditions some routes may temporarily not be passable without prior notice.

Please note that information given in the itinerary is for a summer tour. Activities and/or extra tours may not be available during winter / early spring.
Types of car recommended: Any. During winter, usually September through May, snow and ice can be expected. Although the route of this tour is usually passable by any car type, driving conditions can occasionally become difficult and we strongly recommend 4x4 during winter.

Accommodation is according to your choice in farmhouses, guesthouses or hotels, cat. 1, 2 or 3. including breakfast. Due to limited availability of accommodation in the Icelandic countryside and a great demand for summer, we are only able to confirm specific category but not a specific hotel in each locality until booking has been made and confirmed.

Early morning arrival: Check in time at hotels is usually between 14:00 - 16:00. If you arrive early morning, you may not be able to check in immediately on arrival.
A credit card imprint will be taken at the start of all rentals for security reasons, even when a voucher covers the cost of the rental. Cash and debit card deposits will not be accepted. This credit card imprint may be used to pay all extra charges, including extra driven kilometres if applicable, extra insurance, parking fines, damages or any costs due to the car rental company as a result of the hirer's use of the car.

Self Drive tours can often be modified according to the client’s wishes. If you want to change or extend the tour, add days etc, please contact our office.

Please note that some activities described may only be available during summer.

Travel Insurance:
To avoid dispute in case of cancellation, we strongly recommend that our clients purchase a comprehensive travel insurance in their home country, that covers your cost should you have to cancel your tour. This kind of travel insurance is usually not expensive and it frequently covers other risks too.

Price Calculator:
There are several factors that determine the price of self drive packages:

There is a special Price Calculator button at our website with every self drive tour package where you can enter your choice of type of accommodation and car, number of people and when you want to begin the tour (arrival date) and the Price Calculator will calculate and display the price of different options.

Note:
Day(s) can be added before and / or after if your arrival and departure does not fit the itinerary of this tour. Additional day tours can be added for the additional day/s. If you have any questions please don´t hesitate to contact us by email to tour@tour.is and we will be more than happy to advice.